"lover of horses"
Origin: Greek
Language: English
Philip
Pronunciation: [ f-IHL-uhp ]
Does Philip flow with your last name?
A royal Greek name meaning lover of horses
English
Greek
French
German
Spanish
Classic
Traditional
Royal
Sophisticated
Strong
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
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The Story of Philip
Philip derives from the ancient Greek name Philippos, composed of 'philein' (to love) and 'hippos' (horse), meaning 'lover of horses.' Horses symbolized aristocratic power in ancient Greece, making this name inherently noble. Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, was among its most famous bearers, giving the name associations of military genius and political greatness.
Philip has been a consistently aristocratic name throughout European history, popular among royalty and nobility for two millennia. In the US, it has remained steady and respected, particularly associated with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
Philip the Apostle was one of Jesus's twelve disciples, giving the name deep Christian significance. Philip II of Spain built the Spanish Empire at its zenith. Prince Philip of the UK served as royal consort for 73 years, making it a name of enduring loyalty and duty.
Historical Record
Philip first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 213,739 babies have been named Philip in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Philip is past its peak , currently ranked #522 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Philip II of Macedon's son Alexander became Alexander the Great, one of history's most famous conquerors
- Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, served as royal consort for 73 years, the longest in British history
Philip in Other Languages
Greek
Φίλιππος
French
Philippe
German
Philipp
Italian
Filippo
Spanish
Felipe
Portuguese
Filipe
Popularity Over Time
#522
Current Rank
Stable
Trend
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Philip
P
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh
Royalty
1921
Consort of Queen Elizabeth II and the longest-serving royal consort in British history, serving for 73 years
P
Philip II of Macedon
Military
King of Macedon who unified Greece and was the father of Alexander the Great (382-336 BCE)
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Compare Philip with:
Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #522
- Total SSA Count
- 586
- Cultural Origins
- English Greek French German Spanish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Formal
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Phil
Pip
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
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Timeless choice, Spanish heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
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Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
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Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Classic pairing, smooth 2-1 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Philip
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
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Also a Girl Name
Philip is also used as a girl name, ranked #70748.
View Philip as a girl name →Similar Names
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Hebrew via Spanish/Portuguese origin
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Frequently Asked Questions About Philip
What does the name Philip mean?
"lover of horses" (from Greek). Philip derives from the ancient Greek name Philippos, composed of 'philein' (to love) and 'hippos' (horse), meaning 'lover of horses.' Horses symbolized aristocratic power in ancient Greece, making this name inherently noble. Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great, was among its most famous bearers, giving the name associations of military genius and political greatness.
What is the origin of the name Philip?
Philip has Greek, English, French, German, and Spanish origins. In Greek, it means "lover of horses".
Is Philip a boy or girl name?
Philip is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #522. As a girl name, it is ranked #70748. Philip is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Philip?
Philip is pronounced f-IHL-uhp.
How popular is the name Philip?
Philip is currently ranked #522 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Philip?
Common nicknames for Philip include Phil and Pip.
What are good middle names for Philip?
Popular middle name pairings include Philip James, Philip Henry, Philip William, Philip Edward, Philip Alexander, Philip Thomas, and Philip Arthur.
What are good sibling names for Philip?
Names that pair well with Philip as siblings include Edward, Henry, Catherine, Alexandra, George, Elizabeth, and Charles.
How many syllables does Philip have?
Philip has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Philip a common or rare name?
Philip is moderately common, ranked #522 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Philip?
Are there other spellings for Philip?
Related spellings include Phillip.
About the Name Philip
Philip is a boy name with English, Greek, French, German, and Spanish origins . The name means "lover of horses" in Greek .
Is Philip a boy or girl name? Philip is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #522 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #70,748. Philip is more commonly used as a boy name.
Philip is currently ranked #522 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Philip has 2 syllables and is pronounced f-IHL-uhp, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Philip include Phil and Pip. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Philip include Phillip . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
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Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis